Elizabeth Harper
Articles by Elizabeth Harper
BlizzCon 2009: First impressions of Cataclysm races
For those interested in the subject, I've no doubt you've managed to pour through all of our Cataclysm-related coverage during BlizzCon. But lists of racial abilities and descriptions of starting zones only go so far in telling you what the Goblins and Worgen are really like. So now that BlizzCon's come to a close and the WoW.com team has had a chance to mull over time spent with the latest expansion we're going to give you what you really want to know about Cataclysm's new races: our honest impressions. Personally, I think Alex and Daniel's thoughts on the Worgen starting zone sums everything up:Alex: TOP HATS Daniel: FREAKING AWESOME TOP HATSBut for completeness' sake, the rest of the team's thoughts are below.
BlizzCon 2009: The official program
What is there to say about the BlizzCon 2009 program? It's glossy. Extraordinarily glossy. We were exceedingly impressed with the levels of gloss contained within. (No, really -- we're not being sarcastic here. It's very pretty.) It contains little that we didn't know before, but does have an impressive (and glossy) spread dedicated to Cataclysm.%Gallery-70706%BlizzCon 2009 is here! WoW.com has continuing coverage, bringing you the latest in Cataclysm news, live blogs, galleries, and reports right from the convention floor. Check out WoW.com's Guide to BlizzCon for the latest!
BlizzCon 2009: The costume contest
If there's one thing we can't get enough of, it's World of Warcraft fans in elaborate, just-stepped-out-of-your-computer-screen costumes. (And even though this year's winner took her inspiration from Diablo 3, we can't hold it against her.) And BlizzCon certainly has its fair share of cosplay. But we're not going to waste your time with a bunch of words when there are so many pictures to show off -- enjoy our costume contest gallery, the next best thing to being there yourself. And, on the plus side, you didn't have to fight the crowds for a good seat!%Gallery-70720%BlizzCon 2009 is here! WoW.com has continuing coverage, bringing you the latest in Cataclysm news, live blogs, galleries, and reports right from the convention floor. Check out WoW.com's Guide to BlizzCon for the latest!
BlizzCon 2009: The costumes
Not at BlizzCon yourself? Don't fear -- while all of us are here fighting with massive queues and the door boss (live in person, above), you can enjoy BlizzCon from the safety of your own computer via the live stream and our own live coverage (glance to the right for our BlizzCon live blog schedule). We expect to see many more costumes over the course of the weekends and we will be certain to keep updating this gallery as we get more screenshots photos. Until then, enjoy!%Gallery-70668%%Gallery-70720%BlizzCon 2009 is here! WoW.com has continuing coverage, bringing you the latest in Cataclysm news, live blogs, galleries, and reports right from the convention floor. Check out WoW.com's Guide to BlizzCon for the latest!
BlizzCon 2009: Live blogging the Cataclysm new starter zones
Live from the BlizzCon press room it's character creation for Worgen and Goblins. We're going to write up our experiences live, so keep your eyes on this post.Be warned, below there be spoilers!
BlizzCon 2009: The show floor
Skip the lines! Skip the crowds! See all there is to see from the BlizzCon 2009 show floor in our gallery without having to leave the cool comfort of your computer chair. We will, of course, be updating throughout the weekend as we see more strange and unusual sights.%Gallery-70667%BlizzCon 2009 is here! WoW.com has continuing coverage, bringing you the latest in Cataclysm news, live blogs, galleries, and reports right from the convention floor. Check out WoW.com's Guide to BlizzCon for the latest!
Breakfast Topic: Pick a faction, any faction...
It's one of the first choices you make when you start to play: Alliance or Horde? Horde or Alliance? Orcs or Elves? From thence forward, your entire gaming experience is defined by this decision. So -- which way did you choose? Do you fight for the glory of the Alliance? Or for the honor of the Horde? And whatever you chose... why? Did a particular race appeal to you? Were you joining friends? Do tell!%Poll-31802%
WRUP: We're taking poetic license on this one
For today's WRUP, I'm just going to let the team speak for themselves. In the form of this poem by Michael Gray: Would you raid listening to GWAR? Would you raid in Ulduar? Would you raid with an axe? Perhaps you'd raid in good old Naxx? Would you raid, Mike I am? Would you raid Sartharion?I would not raid, Mike I am! I will not raid old Karazhan! Would you, could you, with a hose? Would you, could you, raid Malygos?! Malygos, Mike I am? I'd love to raid old Malygos. Would you, could you, raid WotLK? All 10 mans this weekend, it might just be!Of course, one poem leads to another...
Around Azeroth: 1500 thread count sheets
After another hard day's grind at the PvP factory that is Warsong Gulch, what's a dedicated Hordie to do? Have a nice, relaxing nap back home in safe territory. Ordruun of <RRT> on Tichondrius shares this peaceful bedtime scene with us, straight from the heart of Orgrimmar. What's the thread count on those things? Luxurious! Do you have any unusual, beautiful or interesting World of Warcraft images that are just collecting dust in your screenshots folder? We'd love to see them on Around Azeroth! Sharing your screenshot is as simple as e-mailing aroundazeroth@gmail.com with a copy of your shot and a brief explanation of the scene. You could be featured here next! Remember to include your player name, server and/or guild if you want it mentioned. Please include the word "Azeroth" in your post so it does not get swept into the spam bin. We strongly prefer full screen shots without the UI showing -- use alt-Z to remove it. Please, no more battleground scoreboards, gold seller ads, or pictures of the Ninja Turtles in Dalaran.%Gallery-1816%
WRUP: WRUPing on the 4th of July
Another week has come and gone again, leaving us stranded in yet another weekend (and a holiday weekend for many of us, at that). How are we ever going to kill the time until Monday? By spending some time in Azeroth! So what's everyone playing this weekend? The WoW.com team will get the conversation started, so to see what we're up to -- and tell us what you're up to! -- in game this weekend, read on!
WRUP: Summer ahoy!
Another week has brought us to another weekend, which means it's time for us all to work out what we're playing this weekend. The Midsummer Fire Festival begins today, but surprisingly enough, it's not what any of our crew seem to be looking forward to for weekend World of Warcraft entertainment. Leveling alts? Raiding Ulduar? Or, gasp, dare I say it, some kind of crazy life beyond the keyboard? How dull! There's summer to celebrate! For what the WoW.com team is up to this weekend -- and to let us know what you're playing this weekend -- read on!
WRUP: Now with 100% more Twitter
Summer is upon us -- and with it the promise of plenty of sunshine, occasional bouts of heatstroke, and lots of good reasons to stay indoors where it's cool and air-conditioned. (Anyway, in a couple of weeks we'll be able to enjoy all the fun of the Midsummer Fire Festival from our desks, won't we?) Our sunlight-addled brains have decided to make this week's WRUP more friendly to our friends and allies on Twitter -- sure, a lot of you follow us on @wowinsider, but if you're really into this social networking thing, maybe you'd like to stalk er, follow our writers individually. For your stalking following convenience, everyone's Twitter name is listed alongside their weekend plans. (Save for the clever, clever people who either don't use Twitter or won't confess to using Twitter.) Onward, dear readers, into the breach! See what the WoW.com staff is up to in game this weekend -- and let us know what you're playing, too!
WURP: Ziebart hunting
There's a chance we may all be in the gravest peril -- and that's the excuse I'm going to give for nearly no one on the team playing World of Warcraft this weekend. So what's the peril today? Mr. Rossi explains it better than I: Matthew Rossi: I'm hunting down an ancient Egyptian Vizier named Hamenthotep. Seems he's trying to find some sort of ancient scrolls called the "Ziebart Codex" that will allow him to harness the power of some sort of ancient primal diety named "Izzu Tahuti" or some such. I don't actually read Demotic. Anyway, in order to find the codex he apparently made use of an old Lemurian ritual site in the Andes and sent forth Peruvian Mummies to possess all the descendants of the original writer of the Codex, Ziebart Dulkarnizen (The Two Horned Ziebart) an ancient and terrible black wizard. So far I haven't had any luck finding any of the descendants. They're masters of subtlety and stealth, it seems, all connected to an order of Cathars who disappeared during Innocent III's attempt to suppress the Albigensian Heresy. I'm not sure if they're Ophists or not, but until I find one of the last living Ziebarts, all of earth is in grave danger from Hamenthotep and his strange, black garbed ally with the hunting horn. I may also run Ulduar. Mike Schramm: Wait -- isn't Alex named Ziebart? He could be the key to the Codex! Oh no wait I think he's Zibert. Never mind. Alex Ziebart: Send help. Peruvian husk not very dexterous. Hard to play. For more from the rest of the team, read on!
Welcome to WoW.com!
Ladies! Gentlemen! Children of all ages! We, the writers, editors, and innocent bystanders at WoW Insider would like to welcome you all to our new home: WoW.com. Our new domain serves a broader purpose than saving your typing fingers a few characters, though. You've probably already noticed our new, more streamlined design -- all the better for providing you with more content and less clutter. But in addition to the content you all know and (hopefully) love, we'd like to introduce you to the beta launch of WoW.com Profiles. By creating a profile on WoW.com you can: show off your characters make blog posts & galleries to share with others communicate with your guild & your friends let everyone know what you're up to in the game we all love by downloading the WoW.com addon (for PC or Mac), you can also keep all of your friends up to date on what you're doing in game -- and make blog posts and upload screenshots directly from your game client. Sound interesting? Head over and sign up (you can use an existing AIM or Facebook login) and start getting involved in the WoW.com community! (Having trouble? Take a look at our getting started guide or send us an e-mail explaining the problem. We'll help you figure it out!) Please remember, WoW.com Profiles are still in beta -- while we already have lots of ideas for the future, we want to hear from you about what we're doing wrong (or right!) to help us improve it. And before you even start protesting, we're aware that Profiles currently only work with characters in the US armory. (Though, to readers not on US servers, you can certainly create an account and participate on WoW.com Profiles -- you just aren't able to add characters. We're starting small with this beta run, but hope to have the ability for everyone to join us soon!) Thank you to all of our readers for your support and unbridled enthusiasm over the years! Though the site may have changed, the WoW Insider content you're all familiar with isn't going anywhere. As WoW.com we plan on continuing to provide you with the latest news and community from the World of Warcraft.- the WoW.com team
WRUP: Live long and Ulduar edition
There is a slight, very slight, chance that the WoW Insider crew is made up of a bunch of geeks. And while we're supposed to stay focused on the World of Warcraft, sometimes our geekiness draws us out of our virtual shell and into movie theaters or comic stores or other, more frightening non-virtual environments. That said, I think this week's responses speak for themselves. Adam Holisky: OMFGSTARTREK. Alex Ziebart: Waiting patiently for the winners of the fan art contest to check their e-mail and get back to me so I can announce the winners. Hint hint. Was I supposed to say Star Trek? Allison Robert: /afk Star Trek. Amanda Dean: Despite my Klingon tattoo, I will probably not be going to see Star Trek this weekend. We're a little bit behind the curve, but my plan is to achieve Sarth 1D on 25 man and 2D on 10. We still don't have Maly down, but we'll probably see that dragon dead on 10 man this weekend as well. For Pony! Chase Christian: Ensign Chase, reporting for duty! Dan O'Halloran: There will be Star Trek. Or there will be divorce. Daniel Whitcomb: I am definitely watching Star Trek. Also, getting on track with Argent Tournament dailies again now that the Holiday rush is over. Elizabeth Harper: I don't know about you guys, but I'm thinking about spending the weekend watching Star Trek over and over. Matt Low: Star Trek. Matthew Rossi: I'm probably just going to decouple the secondary matter infuser and use it to reverse the polarity on something, myself. Captain, the polarity is reversed but now I have to get to the ODM bypass in the Jeffries Tube. Instability is continuing in the antimatter containment field, so we may have to go to our backup plan and kill Yogg-Saron this weekend instead. Michael Gray: My fiancee are going to a local waterfallish kind of place to go rock climbing and celebrate a Shetland Rogue's birthday. If we get some WoW time, the Arena beckons. [And, being unable to leave Trek jokes well enough alone...] Bolvar to the Alliance: I have been, and ever shall be, your friend. Live long and prosper. Michael Sacco: Yogg-Saron and my four-piece Elemental bonus. Nick Whelan: Watching Star Trek over and over. Robin Torres: Star Trek and Mother's Day feasts. Zach Yonzon: Boldly going where no man -- no one -- has gone before. Alright, that's not true, but I'm finally getting Battlemaster after abstaining from Alterac Valley for months because losing 9 out of every 10 makes one physically ill. And just like everyone else, I've got my phaser set to stun. All aboard the NCC-1701! So tell us, readers (those of who aren't geeking out on Trek right now), what are you playing this weekend?
WRUP: What a long, strange trip edition
Though not everyone 'fessed up to it in this week's WRUP, I'm pretty sure there's a simple, one-word description for what we'll all be doing this weekend: Noblegarden. Ulduar's been out for weeks now, but Noblegarden is going to be brand new this year. And while not everyone may admit to running around hunting colored eggs, the proto-drake that awaits us at the end of this long, strange trip is getting closer every holiday. So what does the WoW Insider team admit to playing this weekend? Adam Holisky: My girlfriend and I will be paying good money to take a small white ball out to a very flat field filled with holes and swing at the aforementioned ball with a very hard metal stick. I'll then come home and try to earn another thousand gold over the weekend. Alex Ziebart: Ulduar 25. Wednesday night we cleared up to where we left off last week, so we have Sunday night and Monday night free to kill new bosses. Very exciting! Allison Robert: The game is still crashing my computer too much to properly enjoy doing much of anything there. I'll be writing a special edition of the OverAchiever for Noblegarden while wondering if I'll actually get to enjoy the actual in-game event. Daniel Whitcomb: I'm plugging along on the Argent Tournament, and I should finish out my Gnomeregan champion status at some point this weekend. I'm also thinking of buying a pair of heirloom shoulders and powering my Druid through to 80, but I am torn between grabbing Feral or Healer shoulders, so I may just run heroics until I can afford both. Also, I'm getting into Wintergrasp some, if only to grab the Mammoth for achievement purposes. Eliah Hecht: I gave my Warlock a new spec (and Cold Weather Flying) as a level 77 present, so I'll be Incinerating my way to my fourth level 80 character. Elizabeth Harper: Noblegarden! Elizabeth Wachowski: I'm still running into the getting-disconnected-every-few-minutes problem, so I'll probably be playing Oblivion and watching my boyfriend accidentally blow himself up with grenades in GTAIV. Jennie Lees: I'm going to be playing a lot of in-game Peggle. Matt Low: Ool-doo-ar. Perhaps some sleep here and there too. Matthew Rossi: Between continuous bouts of bad news I'm running Ulduar -10, having cleared up to Yoggy in 25 man this week. Hoping for a full clear of 10 this weekend, and then we can start on hard modes. I'm also re-playing Jade Empire because I like to kick things in the face but society frowns on it. So, what are you playing this weekend?
WRUP: Welcome to patch 3.1 edition
Last week's WRUP was dismally quiet as the team waited (a bit impatiently) for patch 3.1 to hit the realms. So, with the patch out, what is the WoW Insider team playing this weekend? Like the rest of you, it looks like we're scoping out new content! Want to know what the team is playing this weekend -- or want to let us know what you're playing this weekend? Read on!
WoW Patch 3.1: Class changes round-up
It's official! Patch 3.1 is coming to the live realms today and if you're one of many left dizzy after weeks of changes, bug fixes, nerfs, buffs, stealth nerfs, re-buffs, undocumented changes, and redocumented changes -- WoW Insider is here to help. Obviously things like dual specs and 30 minute hearthstone cooldowns will help us all, but chances are you want to know exactly what's going to be different with your class when you log on after today's maintenance. Here's everything that's been happening for every class, in a single place for your reading convenience...
WRUP: Is anyone playing WoW? edition
Looking over this week's WRUP responses, I had to wonder what was up. Where were the raid schedules? Where was the to-do list of achievements and dungeon runs? Why wasn't anyone playing WoW? So I asked the team.Me: It looks like almost no one is playing WoW this weekend.Alex: Why would we? There's nothing to do.Me: Good point.Alex: If 3.1 doesn't hit on Tuesday it's time to start throwing Blizzard employees out windows. One a day until the patch hits.Me: I wonder if it's in poor taste to mention throwing Blizzard employees out windows in this week's WRUP.Daniel: Maybe if you use the term "defenestrate" they won't notice! As in "It's time to start defenestrating Blizzard employees."Me: I wonder if it's in poor taste to use this entire conversation in this week's WRUP...So what is the team doing this weekend? Adam Holisky: Transitioning to a new guild. Not sure which one yet, and I've been lucky enough to get positive hits from the ones I've applied to. All my friends will be staying on the same server and moving to other guilds as well, so that's cool. Alex Ziebart: It is done. [Editor's note: we're not sure what he's talking about, either.] Chase Christian: After the success on our first Undying run last weekend, we're going for a speed run this week, hoping for a 2-2.5 hour clear of Naxx 10. Jennie Lees: Planning a trip that might end up in a move to SF, and wondering how on earth I'll raid if I end up there. Matt Low: Screw healing. I'm done. I'm not touching a healing spell again. Forget restorative spells. I'm done with holy spells. I am going on strike from any sort of healing. All heals, unbinded. All bandages, vendored. They're on their own. It'll just be me and my honkin' 2H Great Apocalypse. AHAHAHAHA! I am death. Destroyer of Trolls! Zul'Drak will be leveled and wiped off the face of Northrend when I'm done with it! Matt Rossi: Hoping to run a D&D game, I'm trying out 4th edition. Now tell us, readers, what are you playing this weekend? Are you experiencing some WoW burn-out of your own?
The Light and How to Swing It: Judgements 101
"Judgements?" I hear you scoffing. "We've been using Judgements since we were level 4! We know everything there is to know about Judgements!"I know, I know. We've all been using Judgements since we were wee little Paladins with only the strength to equip mail armor. Perhaps we all really do know everything there is to know about these Paladin perks. And yet... while they're pretty straightforward when you're soloing or in a small group, the more people you're playing with, the more important it is to know who should be using what when.Let's start out with the basics. As it stands, we have three Judgements, which generate the following effect when used on an enemy target: Light:You regain health every time you attack the target. (Though Light's healing used to cause threat -- making it the Judgement of choice for Protection Paladins -- it has been threat-free since patch 3.0.8, meaning anyone can use it without fear of pulling aggro.) Wisdom: You regain mana every time you attack the target. Justice: Prevents the target from fleeing and limits their movement speed. And the nitty gritty details on the subject of Judgements, from the nitty gritty individuals at Elitist Jerks: "All Judgements should be considered as ranged physical attacks, which can miss or crit but cannot be resisted, parried, or dodged. Some game data mining reveals that Judgements are actually melee attacks that have been modified to be immune to parries and dodges, yet they have a 10 yard range and cannot be used while silenced." Are Judgements melee attacks? Are they spells? We may never know, but we do know they can't be parried, dodged, or resisted.So, now, what are your Judgements good for?